What Is Par in Golf? Meaning, Yardages and Scores

What is par in golf? Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to finish a hole. Holes are par 3, par 4 or par 5 (rarely par 6), based mostly on length, and the pars of all 18 holes add up to the course par, usually 70 to 72. One over par is a bogey, one under is a birdie.

Par is the measuring stick for every score in golf. Below: how par is set, the official yardage guidelines, what par 72 means, the names for scores above and below par, and a simple way to explain it to a non-golfer. New to the game? Our best-selling golf shirts are a good start for your first round.

What is par in golf? The official definition

The USGA's Rules of Handicapping say par "reflects the score a scratch player is expected to score on a given hole" (USGA: Appendix F, Establishing Par). A scratch player is a skilled golfer with a handicap of zero. On a par 4, that player would usually reach the green in two shots and take two putts.

How is par determined? Official yardage guidelines

The USGA recommends setting par from hole length:

The ranges overlap on purpose. The USGA notes that when a hole falls within two ranges, "for example 470 yards (men) or 400 yards (women), the par may be allocated as 4 or 5 depending on the difficulty of the hole." Elevation changes, forced lay-ups, prevailing wind and how the hole is designed to be played can all change the par. These guidelines assume an altitude under 2,000 feet.

What does par 72 mean?

Par 72 is the total of all 18 hole pars. The most common mix is four par 3s, ten par 4s and four par 5s: 12 + 40 + 20 = 72. A par 70 course might have two fewer par 5s. A 9-hole course is usually par 35 or 36, and short "executive" or par-3 courses have lower totals.

If you shoot 72 on a par 72 course, you shot "even par." A score of 80 is "8 over," and 70 is "2 under."

Golf scores above and below par

A hole-in-one on a par 3 is an ace and counts as an eagle (2 under). For more on writing these down, see how to keep score in golf.

Why par matters for handicaps

Par is more than a target. The USGA lists par as a factor in calculating Course Handicap, net double bogey and net par, which is why it says an accurate par should be set for every hole for both men and women and printed on the scorecard. Our guide to how a golf handicap works explains the rest.

Is shooting par realistic for beginners?

Not at first, and that is fine. Par is set for expert players. Many beginners set a "personal par" instead, for example bogey on every hole (90 on a par 72 course), and count a par as a small win. Playing from the right tees helps too; see what the red tees are and who should play them.

How to explain par to a non-golfer

Try this: "Each hole has a target number of shots that a really good player would take. Par 3 holes are short, par 5 holes are long. Beat the number and you get a birdie; go one over and it's a bogey. Add up all the targets and you get the course par, usually 72."

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FAQ

What does 72 par mean?

It means the pars of all 18 holes add up to 72, often four par 3s, ten par 4s and four par 5s. Shooting 72 there is "even par."

How many par is 18 holes?

Most 18-hole courses are par 70, 71 or 72. Shorter courses can be lower, and a 9-hole course is usually par 35 or 36.

Who decides the par of a hole?

The course and its golf association set par, using guidelines like the USGA's yardage ranges and adjusting for difficulty, elevation and design.

What is a good score for a beginner?

Breaking 100 on a par 72 course is a common first goal for beginners. Breaking 90 means you average about bogey per hole.